Pilgrims on a Journey
How our Parish has learnt and developed
Relationships. In the early 2010s, to promote the building of better relationships the church adopted a policy for supporting charities for a minimum of three years. These relationships have developed into partnerships.
Partnerships. Parishioners now volunteer regularly for Soulscape and Home-Start, likewise Home-Start and Soulscape have promoted and assisted in church events.
Partnership in Missional Church (PMC). Participating in PMC, from 2016, developed this relationship-based approach to mission further. Increasing awareness of the possibilities for missional work and the importance of listening.
Action. Plans had been drawn up to deliver a major community event in 2020, incorporating relationship-building, co-planning and delivery, but just as we were awarded the funding grant Covid struck. The time and resources were successfully used instead to arrange a visit from ordinands from Westcott House in 2023 to help with various community events for Holy Week.
Church calendar. Thinking mission around the Church calendar has led to events such as Maundy Thursday shoe cleaning, Good Friday Messy Easter, Christingles in local schools, Remembrance churchyard trails, Christmas craft bags at the Winter Carnival, Singing carols at care homes and in the Market Place, to name a few!
Outreach. Existing projects include Tadpoles for carers and under 5s, Thursday Social Groups, monthly Sip & Share, weekly Coffee and Chat. St Paul’s choir is very much part of our mission, drawing children and their families into church.
Caring. The Pandemic taught us that noticing people and recognising their needs and who they are, is Christ-like and vital. We forged stronger links with GP surgeries, care homes and schools, through goody bags, snack boxes for staff, recorded messages, pastoral care and volunteering. Making sure people feel appreciated, cared for and loved has enabled us to continue these relationships.
